Container with an LED-formed surface pattern

ABSTRACT

The described invention provides a container such as a gift bag or box, with an LED light-enhanced decorative or informative pattern on the surface of the container, such pattern including light emitting diode (LED) lights. The LED-lit bags and boxes are functional as well as decorative, as they can transport or serve as storage for a range of items including Halloween candy and Christmas gifts. The LED lights are part of a larger LED circuit which is substantially affixed to an inner surface of the container, while the lights are configured on the outer surface of the bag, being connected to the circuit by circuit wires that traverse from the inner surface of the container to the outer surface through a hole in the substrate material of the container, which may be re-enforced.

RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional patent application claims priority to a U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/749,111 of Gorton, filed onDec. 12, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A container with LED formed pattern on its surface is provided. Anexemplary embodiment is a theme-based bag, such as for use in carryingHalloween candy or holiday gifts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers to hold other articles may serve the purpose of holding themin a stationary location, or be used to transport the articles beingheld in the container. The holding of articles by containers is done forany of a variety of purposes, such as keeping them in a single location,where they may be variously organized, sorted, out of sight, or secureagainst loss or theft; whether the container remains stationary or isused to transport the contained articles. Additionally, some containersserve a ceremonial purpose, in which they hold precious items, and theaesthetic or traditional decorative features of the article serve tohonor or call attention to the articles contained inside. Anotherpurpose of containers is hold or wrap gifts, in which case theaesthetics of the container serve to enhance the occasion of giftgiving. Containers come in a variety of forms, dimensions, andmaterials, depending on their function or historical origin. Largewooden chests, for example, are heavy and rigid, even though one oftheir primary purposes, historically, was to hold articles while theyare being transported. Another example of a type of container isrepresented by bags or sacks, which although they are made from a widevariety of materials, have in common the features of lightness andflexibility. Bags, though generally used for transporting articlescontained therein, can also be used for storing articles, in a stablelocation.

The placing of patterns or designs on containers has long beenassociated with cultural and religious traditions, and commerce. Suchdesigns or patterns can enhance the sense of value, sentiment, respect,or excitement associated with articles within the container, andfurther, can convey information about the articles, or the owner of thearticles. Accordingly, bags used for shopping, or conveying gifts, orcollecting goods, such as candy, on a traditional holiday, such asHalloween, are often decorated with color and patterns that areappropriate for the occasion, or appropriate for those who are carryingsuch bags. Lighting effects may also be incorporated into containers,either for illumination of the interior, and for pattern or decorativeeffect on the exterior. Light elements are very effective at attractingand holding attention. Additionally, lighting effects on the exteriormay serve the purpose of conveying information, or may provide visualnotice for the purpose safety or identification.

Examples of containers that have been enhanced by various lightingeffects have been described by Blume in U.S. Patent No. 4,926,296, byKnopick in U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,423, and by Rodgers in U.S. Pat. No.6,267,485. The invention of Blume is of relatively complex plasticconstruction; it requires a transparent wall, and uses conventionallight bulbs. The invention of Knopick for a bag of a 2-ply design, andincludes lights of conventional design, screwed into sockets. Theinvention of Rodgers is directed toward making a bag visible while inmotion, and accordingly has a motion-sensitive or acceleration-sensitiveswitch.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention include a container such as a gift bag orbox, with a decorative or informative pattern on the surface, thepattern including light emitting diode (LED) lights. The LED lights mayconstitute the pattern, or they may contribute to or enhance a patternsupported by other visual elements. Bags and boxes each come in a widevariety of forms; bags are generally more flexible in form, whereasboxes are typically more rigid. Other examples of containers included asembodiments of the invention include sacks, chests, cases, and articlesof furniture. As a whole, containers may vary broadly in the compositionof the substrate of which they are made, their weight, structure, andtransportability, but they all have in common the property that they arearticles designed to hold other articles. Bag and box embodiments may bedesigned and manufactured in many sizes to hold a range of articlesincluding, for example, candy, food items, or any manner of gifts,including apparel to houseware items. These particular containerembodiments are closely associated with gift giving; they areinventively enhanced through an integrated light emitting diode (LED)technology that creates or contributes to a pattern on the surface ofthe container. Other embodiments of the invention are more particularlyadapted to holding or carrying articles that have a perceived value, orare noteworthy or special in some way, but not necessarily constitutinga gift.

Patterns included on various embodiments of the invention are typicallydecorative in design, but some embodiments of the invention includepatterns that are more simply informative in nature, as they may, forexample, spell out words or provide visual emphasis to symbols that canbe read or understood by a person viewing the container. Patterns, asprovided by embodiments of the invention, may include elements that bothdecorative and informative, or a mix of elements, some decorative, andother informative. Embodiments of the invention may include containersdesigned for any cultural or religious holiday, or for commercialpurposes, or individualized, customized, or for one-time occasions. Theaudience to whom such containers appeal includes people of any age, andof any cultural, ethnic, or religious tradition. In addition to servingas a container for articles, embodiments of the invention, themselves,be articles valued for their design or beauty, and as such may bedisplayed as articles of intrinsic interest, or kept as memorabilia.

In summary, embodiments of the inventive container include an LEDpattern, comprising one or more LED lights on its surface, thatcontributes to an overall design on the container. Typical containerembodiments include bags and boxes, but embodiments include any type ofcontainer that holds other articles. The LED lights are a part of alarger LED circuit panel that includes components such as an integratedcircuit, a switch, a battery, and other components necessary for theoperation of a circuit; such components are typically attached to theinner surface of the container, while the lights are located on theouter surface. The lights, while wired from the inner surface of thebag, are located on the outer surface of the bag, being connected bywiring of the circuit which penetrates or traverses the surface orsubstrate material of the bag through holes that may be re-enforced bygrommets. Typically, the switch lever is operable from the outer surfaceof the bag, but some embodiments include the complete switch andassociated lever on the inner surface of the bag. The LED lights oftypical embodiments are operated by the circuit panel in a flashing orblinking mode (blinking mode may be alternatively referred to asflashing or oscillating), but in some embodiments the lights may be oncontinuously. Some embodiments of the invention include a kit with oneor more pattern-forming LED circuit panels that may be applied to acontainer. Other embodiments include a kit with one or morepattern-forming LED circuit panels as well as one or more containers towhich the LED circuit panel(s) may be applied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an LED light-based pattern on a bag embodiment; thepattern is on the outer surface, the integrated circuit is affixed tothe inner surface of the bag.

FIG. 2 depicts the design of an LED-lit box embodiment. The circuitpanel is affixed to the interior-facing side of the box top.

FIG. 3 shows an exposed view from the internal aspect of a bagembodiment, showing the configuration of an exemplary pattern-formingLED circuit panel.

FIG. 4 shows a close up view of an LED light on the outer surface of acontainer, configured within a hole in the substrate of a container.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary LED circuit panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Container With an LED Pattern

Embodiments of the present invention include such holiday-associatedbags, with LED lights incorporated onto the outer surface of the bag,forming a visually enhanced pattern thereon. Holidays are ceremonial andfestive occasions that are often associated with specific thematicimages such as a Christmas tree or a star during the Christmas season,or a witch or a ghost at Halloween. The incorporation of such imagesinto a decorative, functional container such as a holiday bag or boxthat uses lighting technology enhances the atmosphere and spirit of theholiday. In some embodiments, these lights contribute to a largerdesign, to which printed or applied elements also contribute. In otherembodiments, the lights may represent a design in a stand-alone manner,without the support of additional printed elements. “Pattern”, as usedherein, refers to the entirety of the visually apparent pattern on thesurface of the bag, including, as it may, separate elements orsub-patterns on the surface.

In some embodiments, a bag that is lit by LED lights also provides asafety feature or signal by virtue of enhance visibility of the bag, andconsequently, the visibility of the user or person carrying the bag, inthe dark. Halloween bags, with flashing or blinking LED lights, providesuch an example. This lighting effect provides light in the dark and theblinking effects sends a visual signal to drivers of passing cars aschildren walk their neighborhoods for candy.

The integration of LED lighting modules into a pattern on the surface ofbags and boxes, as provided by embodiments of this invention, enhancesthe overall aesthetics of these gift-supportive products. The underlyingfunctionality of the bag and box is maintained, while its decorativeappeal is significantly enhanced. Moreover, the lighting effects areparticularly appropriate for nighttime or evening use, and the enhancedvisibility provides a safety feature. The designs of the bags or boxes,as provided by embodiments of the invention, may be rendered to conveyholiday messages, or they may be rendered to evoke cultural or popularimages not associated with any particular holiday. Vibrant imagery, asprovided by embodiments of the invention, is enhanced through lightingtechnology, the color and intensity of the lights, and particularlysupported by blinking frequency of the LED modules.

Some embodiments of the invention take the form of a holiday bag or boxthat has blinking LED lights that can be turned on and off with a switchas shown in FIG. 1. The substrate material (i.e., the main or primarymaterial, or collective mix of materials) of the bag may be formed ofany material commonly used to construct bags, including, merely by wayof example, paper, cardboard, plastics, fibers, fabrics, leather, beads,metallic elements, and the like, or of any combination of suchmaterials. Fabrics may be of natural materials such as cotton and wool,or synthetic materials such as plastics. Bags may include any of thesematerials; they may be based on a single material or they may include amultiplicity of such materials, which may be joined together in segmentsor layers. The substrate materials of boxes may include much the samematerials as the substrate of bags, although the overall form andsubstance of a box is typically stiffer, heavier, and more formed, andmay include materials, or a greater preponderance of materials such aswood, metal, and glass that are heavier and more substantive thanmaterials commonly used in the construction of bags or sacks.

Some embodiments of the bags and boxes, as provided by the invention,are sized to standard marketplace specifications. In one particularembodiment, by way of example, a bag decorated for Halloween measuresabout 10.25 inches wide by about 12.5 inches high. Other bag designs areconsistent with typical grocery and tote bag sizes, as well as specialtybags designed for wine or liquor bottles, as well as a various smallgift sizes. Some embodiments of the invention are not of standard orconventional size or form, and may be custom-designed, to accommodateparticular individual or specialized items. Some embodiments of theinvention may not themselves, constitute a complete bag or box, butrather form a portion of a container, or be adapted to engage or beattached to an underlying basic container.

LED lights are appropriate technology for the invention as they arephysically robust, they come in colors that span the visible spectrum,ranging from red to violet wavelengths; they are of varying intensity,and of varying voltage. More particularly in comparison to incandescentlights, LEDs use a very low amount of power, light up quickly, generatelittle heat, have a plastic lens rather than a glass bulb, and areinexpensive. The brightness of lights is very effective at commandingthe attention of viewers, as human beings are highly responsive tovisual stimulation. The effectiveness of the attention-drawing effectsof LEDs may further be supported by blinking or flashing, which isanother form of visual stimulation to which people are highly attentive.The rate or frequency of blinking is predetermined by the electricalfeatures of the LED circuit panel.

Returning to FIG. 1, showing a bag embodiment of a container 1, apattern or image area 5 is depicted on the outer surface 2 of the bag.From this external view of the bag 1, LED lights 28 are seen to beincorporated into the image area 5. By “incorporated into” or“incorporated onto” is meant that the lights are visibly apparent on thecontainer's surface, and within an image area, or they are defining ofan image. Further visible in FIG. 1 is an on/off switch lever 24 a onthe upper aspect of the bag, which serves to operate the LED circuit 20(disposed on the inner surface of the bag, and not shown) that servesthe LED lights 28.

FIG. 2 depicts an alternative embodiment of the invention, a gift boxcontainer 1, with an LED-based pattern 7 on the outer surface 2, in thiscase on the lid 1 a of the box within the pattern or image area 7 areLED lights 28, contributing to the image. On one corner of the lid 1 ais an on/off switch lever 24 a that controls the function of the LEDcircuit panel (not shown) that serves the LED light 28. This is merelyan example of an embodiment of the invention in the form of a box. Inother embodiments, the pattern may be placed on any external surface ofthe box, including the sides and bottom. Further, in other embodiments,the LED lights are disposed on an inner surface of a box.

In some embodiments, merely by way of a specific example, apparel typeboxes, as shown in FIG. 2, which typically are sized starting at 11inches by 8.5 inches by 1.75 inches deep are configured with theLED-pattern described herein. The primary substrate material of boxesmay include any material typically used for this purpose, by way ofexamples, including paper, cardboard, plastics, fabrics, leather, and/ormetallic elements. Embodiments of box construction includes boxes with atuck top, a 2 piece top and a bottom and bottom boxes with lids. Wiringand circuit platforms may be embedded into the bottom of the bag or box,and concealed or protected by a layer of paper or cardboard.

FIG. 3 depicts an exposed view of a portion of the inner side 3 of acontainer (in this case, a bag), showing an exemplary configuration ofthe LED circuit, including an integrated circuit 22 on a printed circuitboard 21, a switch 24, a battery 23, and the connecting circuit wires26, within a bag embodiment 1 of the invention. In typical embodimentsof the invention, the LED light is on the outer surface of the bag,while the wires of the LED panel are on the internal surface of the bag;in these embodiments the wires of the circuit panel that connect to theLED lights penetrate the bag through a reinforced opening (see FIG. 4).In some embodiment, the inner aspect 3 of the bag may be covered by aprotective sheet 13 attached to the inner surface of the bag to protectthe electrical components from direct contact or entanglement witharticles contained within the container, or from the movement of thehand of a user of the container, as the user makes use of the bag.

In some embodiments of the invention, the LED-lit container includes asingle battery, LED circuit, and switch, as well as typically, amultiplicity of LED lights. There is no practical constraint on thenumber of LED lights, except that more lights require more power.Typical embodiments may include between 1 and about 10 lights, otherembodiments may include about 20 lights, still other embodiments mayinclude about 30 lights, and still other embodiments may contain morethan 30 lights. In some embodiments, the container may contain any ofmultiple LED circuits, multiple batteries, and multiple switches, inaddition to multiple lights. The LED lights and the switch trigger,themselves, are not seen in FIG. 3, because they are disposed on theouter surface of the bag. Although an external location for the switchtrigger 24 a is typically convenient, in other embodiments, the switchtrigger may be configured to be within the bag, exposed on an internalsurface 2.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of a portion of the external surface 2 of acontainer 1 embodiment, in this case a paper bag. The surface of thecontainer is rendered as a single flat sheet, but as described above,this is merely an illustrative example of a substrate that may assume avariety of thicknesses or textures, and be formed of various materials.It can be seen that the LED light 28 is located on the outer aspect 2 ofthe bag, “emerging”, in a sense, through a hole 9 that traverses fromthe inner surface to the out surface, and held in place by the circuitwires 26 disposed on the inner aspect 3 of the bag to which the wiresare attached. Additionally, in some embodiments, the hole 9, isre-enforced by a grommet 11. The LED light is very lightweight, andneeds little in the way of securing beyond being held by the circuitrywires 26. The wires, themselves, as described above, may be secured tothe inner aspect 3 of the bag by glue. The glue, may additionally serveto hold down the cover sheet 13, which protects the circuit panel as awhole.

As may be seen in FIG. 3, there is no practical constraint on thepositioning of the LED lights, as indicated by the holes 9 on thesurface of the container 1, their position primarily being determined bythe pattern as it appears on the external surface (not shown). Any andall of the components of the circuit 20 (including the printed circuitboard 22 with the integrated circuit 21, the battery 23, the switch 24,and the wires 26 may be attached to the internal surface 3 by anyconventional means, for example, by spots of resin or epoxy glue. Thewires 26, may, in some embodiments not be specifically attached to theinner surface of the container, but are held in place by the componentsto which their ends are attached. In some embodiments of the invention,the battery 23 is a 3 volt DC battery that can run continuously for 24hours. Other embodiments may have batteries of different voltages, ingeneral, more lights require higher voltage for satisfactory operation.

Further depicted in FIG. 3 is a fold-over portion 5 of the bag 1, whichserves both to re-enforce the structure and strength of the bag acrossits upper-most aspect, but also to cover and protect some components ofthe circuit panel 20 that are disposed on the inner surface 3. In someembodiments, an internal cover sheet 13 is also present, configured tolay over the components of the LED circuit 20, and conveniently securedby attachment to a surface of the bag within the fold over portion 5across the top of the bag.

FIG. 5 depicts an LED circuit in a very simple block form, where abattery 23 provides power across a switch 24 when the switch is open or“on”, to an integrated circuit 21 mounted on a printed circuit board 22,which, in turn, provides power to LED lights 28, causing them toilluminate. LED circuits are well known in the art, and may exist innearly infinite variety, and may be configured to operate the lights ininnumerable ways, varying the voltage and amperage directed to thelights, and the blink rate in a predetermined manner, accordingly. Onthe front of bag and box cover, as provided by embodiments of theinvention, there is an on-off switch lever 24 a to turn the circuit, andconsequently, the lights on and off. A standard 3V DC battery cansupport up to 24 hours of continuous operation. Embodiments of theinvention include circuits that are configured to operate the LED lights28 in a blinking or flashing mode. Other embodiments may include circuitpanels that operate the LED lights in a continuous mode. An advantageassociated with the blinking LED is that the lifetime of a batterypowering a blinking light may be considerably longer than that of abattery powering a continuously lit LED.

Some embodiments of the invention include replaceable components. TheLED circuit battery, for example, is a replaceable component of the LEDsystem, and accordingly some embodiments of the invention provide for areplaceable battery, while other embodiments do not provide suchreplaceability. Each of these embodiments (the battery being replaceableor not) have their practical advantages and, under differentcircumstances, either embodiment may be appropriate for particular typesof containers. Many of the embodiments of this invention are of theinexpensive variety, made in large quantity, perhaps even given away forfree to facilitate a larger commercial plan. Containers of this typecould be disposable, or single-use, even if they are not necessarilydisposed of after a single use. With inexpensive articles, theincremental cost of providing an LED pattern on the surface of thecontainer needs to be low in order for commercial feasibility. In otherembodiments of the invention, where a container is a more highly valuedor durable item, a higher cost per unit may be appropriate, and such ahigher cost unit can support the larger absolute cost associated with areplaceable battery. Durable containers with the LED-lit pattern could,in some cases, be considered collectibles, or articles of an artisticnature, or historic or personal memorabilia, worthy of saving for anynumber of reasons, showing, framing, or honoring in any manner accordeditems of perceived value. And, a replaceable battery may, in turn, alsobe appropriate in an embodiment with the increased expected life time ofa more expensive and durable container.

LED Pattern Kits

One embodiment of the invention is an LED-based kit configured-for oradapted to be applied to a container, and to form an LED-lit visualpattern on the surface of the container. Other embodiments of the kitmay be appropriate for application to other articles, such as personalor household items. The kit comprises one or more LED lights includedwithin an LED panel that further includes a battery, a switch, and othercomponents necessary to complete an operable circuitry. The kit mayinclude other materials as well, to facilitate the integration of thekit into a host article, typically in the form of incorporation of LEDlights onto the outer surface of the article, with other components ofthe panel integrated into or affixed to the inner surface of thecontainer. Such materials may include, for example, grommets, glue, orattachment resins. In some embodiments of the invention, the LED kit maybe used by a manufacturer or a home hobbyist to integrate into a patternon another article, such as a container, into a pattern of his ownchoosing.

Kits, as provided by some embodiments of the invention, provide a userthe ability to create decorated articles or containers with minimaldesign constraints, and no presumption of the final form of the patternit forms on the surface of the article. Other embodiments of theinvention are made with the intention that they be applied to an articlein order to create a specific pattern; such embodiments may includespecific numbers of components, with predetermined specifications, andthe kit may further include written and/or visual instructions as to howto create a pattern. An LED kit may comprise one LED circuit panel, orit may contain multiple LED circuit panels. On the whole, the LEDlighting kit is adapted-to and configured for integration onto thesurface of a container, such that the integration forms or contributesto a visual pattern on the surface of the container.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a complete kit for theassembly of a LED-lit container. In this embodiment, in addition to theLED circuit panel components of the kit described above, the kit furtherincludes a container, such as a bag or a box, the container being anappropriate host for the installation of an LED-lighting kit, to createor contribute to a pattern on the surface of the container, with acompleted pattern affixed to its outer surface. Various embodiments ofthese kits may contain a multiplicity of LED circuit panels, as well asa multiplicity of containers:

EXAMPLE 1 Halloween Candy Bag

A child looks forward to Halloween because he or she can dress up incostumes and go “trick or treating” an old custom whereby young peoplevisit neighbor's houses and receive candy. The holiday is popular withchildren, because they can dress up in costumes, go out with friends andfamily and receive free candy. This activity often occurs in the darktime hours. A Halloween bag is essential for carrying candy thatchildren receive from all the houses they visit. As it is often dusk orthe dark of night when children venture out to “Trick or Treat,” havinga Halloween bag that lights up with blinking lights provides a safetyfactor. The inventive bag provides a light source and the blinkinglights keep people safe from nearby drivers as groups of people walk theneighborhood soliciting candy from homes. The holiday LED-lit boxes alsoenhance Holiday joy. The have festive designs with holiday images.Manufacturing these boxes with LED lighting technology increases thebeauty of the gift box and makes the gift inside much more memorable.

EXAMPLE 2 Jewelry Box

An LED-lit jewelry box is another embodiment of the invention. Younggirls love to emulate their parents or older children or teenagers thatthey know and admire. Costume jewelry is an important item for children,allowing them to play and act out characters they admire or hope tobecome. Jewelry is thus a valued item, and a decoratively lit withblinking LED lights enhances the excitement of such play acting, andfurther, encourages the storage of children's jewelry in a centrallocation.

EXAMPLE 3 Shopping Bag

The late-December/early-January holiday season (Christmas, Hanukkah,Kwanza, New Years Day), or many other traditional holidays (for example,Chinese New Year) is a time of shopping for gifts. The shopping trip,itself, can be an occasion for fun and sociality, mingling in crowds,and doing downtown things. Decorative shopping bags from high enddepartment stores and specialty stores become very much a part of thescene, providing excitement, and conveying brand consciousness thatappeals to customers; and, or course, stores and brands also benefitfrom the public exposure. Embodiments of the invention thus includeshopping bags and boxes with designs that are enhanced by the blinkinglights as described herein, as such visually- or visibility-enhancedbags stand out in a crowd and on the public streets.

EXAMPLE 4 LED Circuit Panel Kit to be Applied to Bags

A manufacturer of paper bags receives an order for a large number ofbags for a major department store, which is gearing up for the winterholiday season. The department store asks the bag manufacturer to createa line of bags that revolves around a set of images, and is particularlyeye-catching. The bag manufacturer does not have its own capability toassembly LED circuit panels, so it contracts with a manufacturer ofelectrical components. The two manufacturers coordinate their creativeand production efforts and settle on a set of ten kits, according tospecifications, that fit a set of images and visually enhance them withblinking lights of different colors. These LED-lighting kits areassembled by the electrical equipment manufacturing company and shippedto the bag manufacturing company. There, factory workers take preprintedbags and incorporate the LED lighting kits into the bags, to create aset of holiday bags that turn out to be a big hit during the upcomingholiday shopping season.

EXAMPLE 5 Kit Including an LED Circuit Panel and a Bag

Valentine's Day is an occasion that prompts many classroomvalentine-making projects. An embodiment of the invention is representedby a kit that comprises a large paper bag and an LED circuit panel kit.The kit further may includes instructions and examples of images thatstudents may use as models of images to render onto the bags using anyof a variety of appropriate materials, such as crayons, paint, appliedelements such as sparkles. Other embodiments of the kit include multiplebags and multiple LED circuit panel kits in a single kit unit.

As part of the image creating process, the students may decide where toplace the LED lights included in the circuit panel kit. At these sites,the student punches a small hole in the paper bag, and may re-enforcethe hole with a grommet. The LED lights are then inserted through thearray of holes the student has punched, and the wires of the panel aresecured to the inner surface of the bag. Similarly, the battery andswitch are secured to the bag. As a final step, the student may also laya coversheet, also included in the kit, over the LED circuit panel,securing it with glue. Valentines collected during the day are placed inthe bag, the LED switch lever is flipped by children as they mingle inthe school lunch room thereby kicking their Valentine bag into visualaction, and a wonderful time is had by all.

1. A container comprising: an outer surface, and an LED circuitcomprising at least one LED-light, a battery, a switch comprising aswitch lever, and a printed circuit board comprising an integratedcircuit, wherein the at least one LED-light is incorporated onto theouter surface of the container, forming a pattern thereon.
 2. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the container is selected from the groupconsisting of a bag and a box.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein thecircuit panel is configured to operate the at least one LED-light in ablinking mode.
 4. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least oneLED-light provides a visual signal that enhances safety of a user atnight.
 5. The container of claim 2, wherein the container is a bag, thesurface of the bag comprising one or more substrate materials selectedfrom the group consisting of paper, cardboard, plastic, fabric, fiber,leather, and metal.
 6. The container of claim 2, further comprising afolded portion at the top of the bag, and wherein the LED circuit paneland the LED switch are contained within the folded portion.
 7. Thecontainer of claim 2, wherein the LED switch lever is disposed on theouter surface of the container.
 8. The container of claim 2, wherein thebattery is a 3 Volt DC battery.
 9. The container of claim 2, wherein thebattery is replaceable.
 10. An LED lighting kit comprising an LEDcircuit, the circuit comprising at least one LED light, wherein the LEDlighting kit is adapted for application to a container to form anLED-lit pattern on the container.
 11. An LED-lit container kitcomprising: a container, and an LED circuit, the circuit comprising atleast one LED light, wherein the LED circuit is adapted for applicationto the container to form an LED-lit pattern on the container.